KARACHI: In a press conference in Karachi today, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s candidate from NA-246, Imran Ismail, called for the army to be deployed in the hotly-contested constituency of Azizabad until election on April 23.
Speaking to journalists after a meeting with MQM officials and police, Ismail said due to the security situation, the party is unable to go to voters’ doors and run an election campaign. “Wherever we go, people are scared.”
He said the PTI had been unable to begin its election campaign the way it wanted due to hindrances posed by MQM workers, adding that that the Election Commission of Pakistan had taken little notice of the situation.
“Wherever we go, their workers follow us,” he said. Ismail said the PTI has been open about its reservations and had little faith in the administration. “Both the election commission and the MQM are hindering the election process.”
Ismail claimed the MQM was instigating its workers into conflict, and said those who had been caught creating chaos were adorned with flowers at MQM’s office after release.